How To Get Around Marseille Easily & Cheap

Getting To The City

From Marseille Provence Airport (MRS)

Airport Shuttle bus service is a good option to get into the city. Take the Airport Shuttle bus from platform number 3 outside the airport building to reach Gare Saint Charles (main train and bus station). You will get a shuttle bus daily at an interval of 15 minutes between 9:50am to 5:50pm, and at an interval of 20 minutes before 9:50am and after 5:50pm. Journey time is around 25 minutes. It operates from 4:30am to 11:30pm. Single journey ticket costs 8.60 Euros. Purchase your ticket from the manned ticketing office (from 5:30am to 9:30pm) at the bus station or else from the driver.

In order to get to the city by train, you need to first reach the Vitrolles Aeroport train station which is located 5 minutes from the airport. There is a free airport shuttle service to reach the station. From there you will get direct trains for Gare Saint Charles Station. First train departs at 5:58am and the last one leaves at 8:26pm. Service interval is half an hour to one hour depending upon the time of travel. Journey time is around 18 minutes and a single journey ticket costs 5.10 Euros. You can purchase tickets from the ticket vending machines installed at the station.

Note that the heart of the city is around the old port area which is known as Vieux Port and located around 1 kilometre south west of Gare Saint Charles station. To get there you need to take the M1 line metro towards La Fourragere and then get down at Colbert. It takes about a minute by metro train. Alternatively you can take a bus.

There is a taxi stand outside the airport arrival hall. Taxi takes around 30 to 40 minutes to the city centre. Taxi fare is 50 Euros during day time and 60 Euros during night. You can pre-book a taxi by calling 04 4288 1144 or 04 4214 2444. Car rentals are also available at the airport (details provided below under car rental section).

You can choose from a wide range of private transport and transfer services (including airport transfers) and book online from this Viator site.

Public Transport

RTM (Regie des transports de Marseille) or the Marseille Transport Authority looks after the public transport in and around the city. Public transport consists of fleet of buses, two metro lines and three tram lines. Bus and metro routes are well connected with the main train station Gare Marseille Saint Charles.

Bus

The integrated bus service of Marseille has about 100 different routes covering the city and its suburbs. Presently there are 109 operative lines during normal hours and 10 night lines. You will find the route map and time table at the bus stations and the service is overall punctual. Note that many of the buses are not low floored thus inaccessible to wheelchair users. Most of the day lines operate from 04:30am until 1:00am.

Gare Routiere Marseille is the central bus station. This bus station receives several international buses too. It is a hub for regional buses as well. Apart from RTM buses you will get buses run by Cartreize company from Gare Routiere. The main rail station of Marseille is located adjacent to it.

Metro

There are two Metro lines (M1 and M2) that connect east to west and north to south of the city. Both lines have two connecting points, one at Gare Marseille Saint Charles and other one at Castellane. Metro service is available from 05:00am until 1:00am. You will get a metro at an interval of 3 minutes during peak hours. The wait time is 10 minutes during off-peak hours.

Most of the metro stations have escalators and few of them provide elevator service. You can check the official website to know if they are currently functioning.

Trams

There are three different tram lines in Marseille. These three lines connect more than 30 stations with a route length of over 15 kilometres. Service is excellent with modern infrastructure that allows easy wheelchair access. The three lines are T1, T2 and T3. Average operating time is from 5:00am until 12:50am with an interval of 6 to 7 minutes during peak time and 15 minutes during off-peak.

For exact schedules of different bus, metro and tram lines you should visit the official RTM website.

Colorbus

The top open Colorbus service is an interesting way to explore Marseille. It starts from Vieux Port area and covers different attractions through 14 stoppages. Initially it was known as ‘hop on hop off’ bus service but later renamed as Colorbus. The 14 stops include Palais du Pharo, Plage des Catalans, Oriol Corniche, Notre Dame de la Garde, Abbaye Saint Victor, Marseille Cathedral and Les Docks de la Joliette.

You can book your ticket online in advance. This bus service also offers free wi-fi. Single day bus pass costs 15 Euros for an adult while a 2-day pass is 22 Euros. You will get a Colorbus from 10:00am onwards every half an hour. Ticket can be purchased also on board (summer sees huge demand… so purchase it in advance).

Taxi

Taxis in Marseille have signage on roof and the registration number is displayed on front and back. You can hail one on the road unless there is a taxi rank within 50 metres. You will find a taxi rank at all the important points of the city that includes airport, Saint Charles and the port. If you need to call a taxi (not private ones) you can use the number 0811 46 9090. This is the only number for all taxi ranks in the city. Call receiver can usually talk both in English or French.

Base fare starts from 4.75 Euros, thereafter 1.72 Euros per kilometer. 28 Euros is the waiting charge for an hour. Fare is higher during night hours.

To call other taxi companies refer to the numbers mentioned above under ‘Getting to the City’ section. You can also call a Uber cab by using their app.

Train

There are 4 railway stations within the city area. Apart from the main station Gare Saint Charles other three stations are Arenc-Euromediterranee (towards north west of the main station), Marseille-Blancarde (towards south east) and La Pomme (towards further south east). The main transport hub of the city is around Saint Charles station. The main station has several waiting areas, currency exchange facility (from 10:00am to 06:00pm Monday to Friday), tourist information office, locker facilities, shopping facilities and several eateries. This station is nicely connected with other part of France by TGV trains as well as various international destinations.

Ferry

Economic growth brought in enormous pressure on the old port (Vieux Port) resulting in construction of new docks and warehouses along the coast line of northern part of the city. Over the past two decades the resulting new port (The Port of Marseille Fos) has gone through enormous renovations. This port is located around 1.2 kilometres north of Vieux Port area and is well connected too. It has cruise ship terminal (terminal J4) as well as secured harbour. The cruise terminal is easily reachable on foot from the city centre area. This port connects international destinations like Algeria and Tunisia regularly. Other regular crossings from this port connect Corsica and Sardinia.

Tickets and Passes

1 Trip Ticket (Solo) allows you to travel for 1 hour by RTM buses, trams and metro (for metro only once). First time purchase costs 1.80 Euros. You can purchase it from ticketing machines at tram or metro stations. Purchasing from the driver on board a bus costs 2 Euros and this ticket is known as Solo Rescue Ticket !!!

2-Trips Card is valid for 2 trips (similar to two solo tickets) on RTM transports. You can top-up this Transtick card twice. First purchase costs 3.50 Euros and subsequent top-ups 3.40 Euros. You can get it at ticketing machines (metro and tram stations), RTM authorized dealers and the main bus station’s (Saint Charles) RTM outlet.

10-Trips Card is a multiple use ticket for 10 trips at RTM network. The card costs 14.10 Euros for the first time and 14 Euros while topping it up (up to two times). It can be purchased from all the points like 2 trips card.

Pass 24H/72H is a good value pass if you intend to travel frequently by public transports. The pass is valid for 24/72 hours from its first validation for unlimited rides on RTM transports during its validity. 24 hours pass is 5.20 Euros and 72 hours pass costs 10.80 Euros. You can purchase it from all the points mentioned above.

Pass XL is another option to travel in and around Marseille. There is 24-hour pass for 5.20 Euros and 72-hour pass for 10.80 Euros (weekly and monthly passes are also available). You can take unlimited rides by RTM public transports within the city as well as by Trans metro-pole lines, TER trains within Marseille and from Marseille to Septemes les Vallons. This pass is not valid on sea shuttles. You can avail the following bus lines for free with this pass… Line M6 and M6-1 Marseille to Cassis, line M8, line C7 (hill bus) and line C8 (blue coast). You can purchase this pass from all the places mentioned above.

Marseille City Pass is a good deal for tourists. It not only allows you unlimited rides by public transport but also has various benefits while visiting attractions. 24-hour city pass costs 26 Euros, 48 hours pass is 33 Euros and 72-hour city pass is 41 Euros. The major benefits are free access to 15 museums, boat trip and guided free tour to Chateau d’If and free ride by petit train to the Basilique de la Garde. You can purchase it online or from the Marseille tourism office.

Getting To Major Attractions

The old port area or the Vieux Port is the heart of the city. All directions/trips below start from this place unless mentioned otherwise.

The cultural heart of the city Vieux Port area is quite walkable. This place has a long history of nearly 3 millenniums. This harbour is the 2^nd largest in Europe after Rotterdam. You will find lots of fishing boats, pleasure boats and Yachts docked here, and numerous eateries and restaurants to explore. Two mighty fortresses overlook the harbour area. Check out L Canebiere, the mile long avenue that still highlights its colonial trading heydays.

At the southern side of the port (about 2kms away) is ‘Abbaye St. Victor’ or the Saint Victor’s Abbey. This fortified monastery church is the 2^nd oldest in France that dates back to 5^th century. Nearby are the Phare de Saint Marie Lighthouse and some old buildings (now hotels) along with the Natural History Museum of Marseille. To reach there, take a line 82 bus from Capitainerie bus stop (80 metres) towards Pharo Catalans and get down at Place aux Huiles, from there you need to walk for 600 metres. Bus ride time is around 4 minutes.

Basilique Notre Dame de la Garde with its Byzantine style architecture stands on a 154 metres high limestone rock and is the highest point of Marseille. 10 metres tall statue of Virgin Marry covered with gold leaf stands on top of the basilica and is visible from every part of the city. You get a breathtaking 360 degree view of the city and harbour from the terrace. This place is located around 2 and half kilometres south of the old port area. Take a line 60 bus from Capitainerie bus stop to Notre Dame de la Garde. Journey time will be around 17 minutes. Alternatively you can enjoy a ride on a touristic train well known as ‘Petit Train’ from old port area. Check the itinerary and others details from their official website.

The 17^th century stunning building Centre de La Vieille Charite houses two museums… Museum of Mediterranean Archaeology and Museum of Afro Armenian Arts. This place is located around 750 metres north. Best is to walk. The bus option (line 82 from Capitainerie towards Euromed Arenc) would also require 500 metres of walk from the Gare Maritime Internationale stop.

Plage des Catalans (Beach of Catalans) is located around 3 kilometres south west. Ride on a line 82S bus from Capitainerie towards Pharo Catalans, from there it’s around 150 metres. Journey time by bus is around 9 minutes.

Another beach is Plage du Prophete (Prophet’s beach) located towards south at a distance of around 4 kilometres. Best is to board a line 82 bus from Capitainerie towards Pharo Catalans and then change to line 83 bus at Place aux Huiles towards Metro Rond Point du Prado and get down at Le Prophete, then walk for 100 metres.

Fort Saint Nicolas is located at the southern side of the harbour. This 17^th century fort was built to protect the harbour area. Walking distance is little over 2 kilometres. You can otherwise take line 82 bus, get down at Place aux Huiles, and then walk for around 800 metres to the fort.

Parc Balneaire du Prado is a 64 acre coastal park with a gigantic Michelangelo statue. You can avail different water and adventure sports here. This place is located around 5 kilometres south. You can combine this trip with Fort Saint Nicolas and Plage du Prophete. Take a journey similar for Plage du Prophete but instead of getting down at Le Prophete extend your journey up to Plage Roucas Blanc and from there walk for around 250 metres. The total journey time will be around 22 minutes.

Palais de Longchamp is a gorgeous palace with a wonderful garden campus. This palace was built in 1869 and an 80-kilometre long canal terminates here. It is located towards north east at a distance of around 3 kilometres. Take a line 60 bus towards Notre Dame de la Garde and get down at Metro Vieux Port. Walk for a minute to reach Metro Vieux Port metro station and then take a line M1 metro towards La Rose and disembark at Clinq Avenues. From there it is around 400 metres walk. Journey time by bus is 3 minutes and by metro is 5 minutes.

Day Trips

The Calanques National Park is the largest European suburban park where you can take a boat trip through the azure waters along the 20 kilometres stretch of lime stone rocks. However to get there you need to visit the charming fishing village Cassis first. Cassis is located around 23 kilometres south east of Gare Saint Charles. The best option is to take a TER train towards Toulon and get down at Casis.

Casis is the second stop (after Aubagne). Journey time is around 20 minutes. Ticket costs little over 6 Euros for single journey which you can purchase from the vending machines. On reaching Cassis train station cross the track by using underground tunnel and reach the bus station. From there board a bus towards Casino (the end stoppage of Cassis). Purchase bus ticket from the driver. Bus ride time is around 15 minutes. From there the waterfront is around 300 metres walk.

The G.I.E of the Boatmen Cassidain Company offers 4 different tours to the Calanques. The combined boat trip to Port Miou, Port Pin and Vau costs 16 Euros per person, trip duration is 45 minutes. There are three other Creek trips (5 Creeks, 8 Creeks and 9 Creeks) and all these trips cover Port Miou. 5 Creeks trip costs 19.50 Euros per person (duration 65 minutes), 8 Creeks trip is 23 Euros (duration 90 minutes) and the 9 Creeks trip costs 28 Euros (duration 2 hours). The box office is located on the port where you can purchase the tickets. You can hire boats also with or without skippers. To hire a boat without skipper you must have a valid permit to handle a boat of more than 6CV.

The shortest boat trip from Marseille is to Chateau d’If Island that has a striking similarity with Alcatraz. It too was a prison for some time with a record of no prisoner ever escaping from here. There is a fortress on the island that was built to protect the old port of Marseille. The island is located towards west at a distance of around 5 kilometres. There are regular ferry services to the island but during summer there are usually a long queues for tickets.

The island is open from 10:00am to 6:00pm between 2^nd April to 30^th September, from 9:30am to 5:30pm between 2^nd October to 31^st December and from 10:00am to 5:00pm between 2^nd January to 1^st April. It remains open daily between 2^nd April to 30^th December. It is closed on Mondays for rest of the year and also on 1^st January, 1^st May and 25^th December. Admission fee is 6 Euros per person (excluding ferry crossing charges).

Both guided and unaccompanied tours are available for Chateau d’If Island. You can take the Frioul If Express ferries to cross. There are about 10 crossings per day. Single ticket is 11 Euros (return journey included). You can book tickets online through their website. Crossing and island entry fees are included in Marseille City Pass.

Another interesting island is Frioul archipelago. This is not a single island. Raonneau Island and Pomegues Island are joined together by a dyke. This place is located towards south west. You can visit this place combining Chateau d’If on the same day. Combined ticket for Frioul If Express ferry service is 16 Euros (return journey included).

Aix en Provence is known as Marseille’s intelligent little brother where you can explore the thoroughfare Cours Mirabeau which is the witness of many generations of academicians, noblemen and high profile judges. You should also explore the culture, Mediterranean way of life and local small markets. The place is located around 30 kilometres north of Marseille city.

Best is to take a TER (regional express train) train from Gare Saint Charles station to Aix en Provence. Journey time is 48 minutes and single way ticket costs 8:30 Euros. You can purchase tickets online or from the ticketing machines at the station.

Bike Rentals

“le velo” bike rental scheme rents over 1,000 bikes from over 130 racks around the city. They offer multiple schemes for bikers but for a tourist the best scheme is to purchase a 7-day ticket which remains valid for 7 consecutive days. You can purchase it online using credit cards or from any of their “le velo” terminal station. Subscription fee for 7 days is 1 Euro. First 30 minutes of each trip is free and then there is a usage charge (1 Euro per additional hour). Visit the le velo website for details & registration.

Unlike other European cities Marseille doesn’t have a lot of dedicated bicycle tracks, so note the following safety rules while biking on the city streets:

Follow the road signs and signals
Always wear helmet while biking

Look out for pedestrians especially at signals
Never cycle on pavements
Always stay on the right unless there is any dedicated cycle track

Never carry any other person on your bike (especially with “le velo” bikes)
Never wear headphone while biking.

Car Rentals

US driving license is valid for renting a self-driven car (for stay under 90 days in France). For other nationals IDP (International Driving Permit) is required except EU driving license holders. Valid passport with visa and a credit card are also a must. The minimum age to rent a car is 21 to 25 years (depending upon the type of car and also the rental company). Wearing seat belt is must for persons both on front and back seats. Children below 10 years are not allowed in the front seat. The minimum per day hire rate starts from 30 to 45 Euros for a small car. Following are a few well-known car rental companies…

Enterprise Rent a Car:enterprise.fr
Sixt: www.sixt.fr
Europcar: www.europcar.fr

Ada Location de Voitures: www.ada.fr

Scooter/Motorbike Rental

Rental rate for a 50cc scooter starts from 25 to 30 Euros, and from 35 to 40 Euros for a 125cc scooter (For example Vespa rental rate is around 55 Euros for 50cc and 65 Euros for 125cc). The minimum motorcycle hiring rate starts from 50 to 60 Euros. Note that to hire a scooter or motorcycle you need a valid license, passport and credit card. Wearing helmet is a must. Following are a few well-known rental companies…

Cooltra:cooltra.com/fr/

Moto Roads: www.motorcycle-rental-europe.com
Freescoot:freescoot.fr/en/
Vita Loca: https://vitaloca.fr/en/

Transport Tips

Validate your open tickets (ones without date and time) that include all forms of travel passes.
Summer sees heavy rush, so pre-book all your tickets.
Experience an Asian style Tuk-Tuk ride from Vieux Port (contact tourism office).

During summer there are some restrictions in visiting Les Calanques, so please check before you plan.
Take care of your valuables especially while walking down narrow streets.
Strikes are not uncommon in this city, so keep a watch on the news.